Though ArcelorMittal had not mentioned the name of any specific iron ore reserve, it had applied for PL for mines including Mankadanachha, Malangtoli and Thakurani in Keonjhar district and Badamgadapahad and Balipahada spread over both Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts. ArcelorMittal, which requires 7,750 acres for setting up its plant, CPP and township, was also working on the forest diversion proposal.

Mr Sanak Mishra ArcelorMittal chief for Greenfield projects said that “We have 10% of the total land which required forest diversion clearance.”

Official source said that ArcelorMittal, which is expected to submit its detailed project report to the state government by June end or early July 2008, had applied for a prospecting license as well as mining lease for its proposed 12 million tonnes per annum steel mill. It added that the state government, which was busy in hearing applications for PL over Khandadhar iron ore reserve in Sundargarh district, would begin hearing on other mines after July 2008.